Hornets top rival Albion in finale

Friday

Mar 1, 2013 at 9:30 AM

By Ed Patinoed.patino@hillsdale.netHILLSDALE — A successful regular season was closed out in style, and the Hillsdale High School boys basketball team built added momentum for the playoffs.Taking control of the game in the fourth quarter, the Hornets pulled out a 58-37 victory over the Albion Wildcats in a non-conference game Thursday.Hillsdale (18-2) concluded the regular season on a nine-game winning streak. The Lenawee County Athletic Association champions will compete in the Class C district tournament at Addison next week. The Hornets have a bye to Wednesday's semifinal, where they will face either Addison or Hudson."The guys earned tomorrow off, and we're going to scout on Monday," Hillsdale coach Brad Felix said. "Hopefully we can keep this rolling, and 18-2 is a good mark to end on. But March is a different animal and it all comes down to one night."Friday's battle between former Southern Michigan Activities Association rivals saw Hillsdale take command early with a 13-4 run. The teams exchanged baskets in the second quarter, and the Hornets carried a 24-14 lead into halftime.Albion (5-13) didn't back down and fought back in the third quarter, outscoring the Hornets 14-8 in the frame. At one point, the Wildcats had pulled to within three.Hillsdale regrouped in the fourth quarter and closed the game with a 26-9 run."We had to play zone tonight and (Albion) had all the momentum in the world," Felix said. "I challenged the guys at the start of the fourth quarter to get more physical, and the kids responded well and answered the bell."Patrick Drews recorded a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds to lead Hillsdale. Brandon Bisher added 17 points, while Jimmy Chase scored eight points. Zach VanOrman had seven points and nine rebounds and Andrew Wilcox handed out four assists."Brandon hit four 3-pointers tonight, including one in the fourth quarter that got us going," Felix said. "Patrick was phenomenal underneath the basket tonight."Angus Bennett had 12 points and 12 rebounds to lead Albion. Matt Skinner also scored 12 points, while Glenn Estelle scored four points. Quinton Welch grabbed six rebounds.Homer 78, Reading 46The Reading High School boys basketball team was unable to keep pace with the Homer Trojans' fast start and dropped Thursday's Big Eight Conference game.Homer clinched the outright Big Eight title with the victory. The Trojans took control early, racing to a 30-9 lead by the end of the first quarter and never looking back.Cody Kafer had 23 points, five rebounds and three steals to lead Reading (5-14, 1-12 Big Eight). Devin Higley also forced five steals.Zach Flanigan scored 19 points, including four 3-pointers in the first quarter, to lead the Trojans.The Rangers will make up their game against Athens on Saturday. The junior varsity game starts at 4 p.m. with the varsity game immediately following.